ERC 2016 Consolidator Grant competition now open

The European Research Council (ERC) opened the next competition for its Consolidator Grants on 15 October 2015. The competition has a total budget of more than €600 million for an estimated 335 grants. The deadline for the submission of research proposals is 2 February 2016.

ERC Consolidator Grants are designed to support excellent individual researchers who have 7 to 12 years of experience since the completion of their PhD, and are consolidating their own independent research team. Applicants must demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their scientific proposals.

The ERC competition is open to researchers worldwide of any nationality and in any scientific area, including social sciences and humanities. Candidates must apply together with any university or research institution based in Europe. The maximum value of a Consolidator Grant is €2 million for a period of five years. Up to €750,000 can be additionally requested to cover the researcher's costs of moving to Europe with the grant, or to purchase major equipment or access large facilities.